I just moved into an HOA. I have an 8' privacy fence, so I use an 8x8x8 dog run as a weathering yard. I converted a one-car garage into a mew, which avoids erecting a new facility. It's climate controlled and has a window. Check with your state regs, but in this state, if you use a room that is part of your house, you don't have to modify windows. I either weather my bird tethered to a perch in the dog run, or the bird is somewhere inside the house.
How do falconer live in a HOA and still fulfill all the needs of keeping a bird???
What is the particular issue you are dealing with? A forum member quasi-recently (within past 12-18 months) posted about their dealings with a HOA. If i remember right they ended up 'winning' AKA getting an exception so they could have a bird.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
The issue usually is not keeping a bird, it's erecting a facility. HOAs usually won't let you build anything on your land without board approval, and you certainly can't have anything that can be seen over a fence or from the street. I was fortunate to have a 2 car garage and a separate 1 car garage--so the 1 car garage (which, honestly, most people probably just use as storage) got converted to the mew. The dog run is the height of the fence and can be taken down and moved wherever, so it isn't a permanent structure.
Post by talonsgrip22 on Sept 11, 2015 22:31:24 GMT -5
I went through the HOA fight. Firts get the CURRENT copy of your HOA rules, your town/cities animal ordinances on animal (not liivestock) enclosures and/or sheds. You'll want to search the HOA guidelines for rules on pets and animals to see if there are specific rules to animals and animal enclosures. Animal enclosure rules are often more restrictive than shed rules.
There should be language on pets (dogs, cats, etc.). Sometimes there's language on animal enclosures. Remember, your falconry bird is not livestock. Label it a PET HAWK for legal reasons. Most HOAs understand PET. If the HOA insists the hawk is an exotic animal, ask them to clarify..."you mean like a parrot?".
If the HOA insists you PET HAWK is a wild animal, tell them you will be legally permitted to own you PET HAWK.
If the HOA insists that you pet hawk is a dangerous animal, get statements from your sponsor and an official letter fromnyour state falconry club stating that the Chihuahuas in the HOA community are more dangerous than your pet hawk.
In my case, the HOA had animal enclosure rules, but also had a provision for asking for a waiver for my structure. I explained that my structure did not fit neatly into either the shed or animal enclosure rules, as it would be used as a workshop for fabricating equipment and weighing the pet hawk, used as a training facility, and as a place to stay when I'm away. A hybrid structure, like a shed, was needed with the demensions of a shed. It worked.
The HOA may not volunteer information on when and where the HOA meetings will dec i de on your structure and hawk. Go and answer their questions, if you can. Good luck.
Last Edit: Sept 11, 2015 22:34:24 GMT -5 by talonsgrip22
